Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Singapore's 45th Birthday on 9th August 2010!!

So, there'll be roadblocks, fireworks and lotsa parades happening on 9th August. Just wanna inform our dear travelers that you could also join in the fun for Singapore's National Day celebrations! Probably can catch the spectacular fireworks, aerial acrobatics and also the parade of the Mobile Column. This year's National Day Parade (NDP) marks not only a return to the historic Padang after five years, but also the first mobile column display featured since then. The Mobile Column, a crowd favourite whenever it is featured, will be the highlight again in this year's NDP. This year, there will be more than 200 vehicles featuring the SAF's 3 Generation capabilities and Home Team's assets. It will roll pass City Hall and into the heartlands.

The Mobile Column will bring the National Day Parade Celebrations from the Padang to different parts of Singapore. The Mobile Column will move to the heartlands after the drive past at the Padang along three different routes (North-Eastern, Northern and Western routes). They will travel through various townships, arriving at the five Heartland celebration locations of Sengkang, Eunos, Bishan, Woodlands and Choa Chu Kang. Here's the route which the Mobile Column will cover. :)



NORTH-EASTERN ROUTE - EUNOS AND SENGKANG
ST ANDREW'S ROAD->MARINA BOULEVARD->BAYFRONT AVE-> RAFFLES AVE->NICOLL HIGHWAY->MOUNTBATTEN RD->SIMS AVE-> UPPER PAYA LEBAR RD->UPPER SERANGOON RD->HOUGANG AVE 8-> HOUGANG AVE 6->SENGKANG CENTRAL->COMPASSVALE RD-> SENGKANG SQUARE


NORTHERN ROUTE - BISHAN AND WOODLANDS
ST ANDREW'S ROAD->PARLIAMENT PLACE->FULLERTON RD ESPLANADE DR->NICOLL HIGHWAY->MIDDLE RD-> VICTORIA ST->JLN SULTAN->KING GEORGE AVE-> KITCHENER RD-> SERANGOON RD->BALESTIER RD-> MOULMEIN RD->THOMSON RD->LORNIE RD-> BRADDELL RD->BISHAN RD-> ANG MO KIO AVE 8-> ANG MO KIO AVE 5->YIO CHU KANG RD-> UPPER THOMSON RD->SEMBAWANG RD->GAMBAS AVE-> WOODLANDS AVE 7->WOODLANDS AVE 4-> WOODLANDS AVE 9->WOODLANDS AVE 5-> WOODLANDS SQUARE


WESTERN ROUTE - CHOA CHU KANG
ST. ANDREW'S RD->HILL ST->RIVER VALLEY RD-> HOOT KIAM RD->PATERSON HILL->PATERSON RD ->ORCHARD RD-> KILLINEY RD->RIVER VALLEY RD ->DELTA RD-> ALEXANDRA RD->COMMONWEALTH AVE ->COMMONWEALTH AVE WEST->TOH TUCK AVE->BUKIT BATOK EAST AVE 3-> BUKIT BATOK CENTRAL->BUKIT BATOK WEST AVE 2-> BUKIT BATOK WEST AVE 5 ->BUKIT BATOK RD-> CHOA CHU KANG WAY->CHOA CHU KANG AVE 4-> CHOA CHU KANG WAY



Tips for Watching National Day Fireworks 2010 for FREE

Don't miss the fireworks for Singapore NDP 2010! This year, the fireworks will be launched from 9 locations:

- The Padang
- City Hall
- Esplanade Theatre
- the waters of Marina Bay
- Suntec City
- Pan Pacific Hotel
- Ritz Carlton Millenia Hotel
- UOB Plaza & Maybank Tower

Best Picnic and Photography Spots to Watch Fireworks in Singapore:

1)The Esplanade Theatre Waterfront Promenade
A very convenient spot overall.
You need to find a good spot if you don't want to see the construction sites in your fireworks photos.

2)The Esplanade Bridge
A good place if you want the Merlion included in your fireworks photos.
However, you still need to a wide-angle lens because the fireworks are pretty near.
This spot is incredibly crowded during the New Year's Eve Countdown fireworks.

3) Merlion Park
Go to the Merlion Park if you want to hear the loud booms and to feel the fireworks 'falling on you'.
A difficult place to get everything into your camera unless you use a fish eye lens or a wide-angle lens.
Suitable to take children to, but crowded. You'll need to get there early and occupy the kids meaningfully.

4) Clifford Pier
A small area available to the public. Better if you book a seat at One on the Bund restaurant (see below).

5) The Promontory @ Marina Boulevard NEW!
This spot was a fireworks photographer's favourite before the re-construction took place. You get sweeping views across the water towards the Marina Bay hotels.
Now refurbished, it's a lovely green space.
Likely the venue of some carnival or fair during fireworks night and therefore a good spot to take kids to.
Some photos of fireworks as seen from Marina Boulevard.

6) Marina Bay Sands Waterfront Boardwalk NEW!
This newly completed timber boardwalk is situated just in front of Marina Bay Sands. It takes you all the way to the water's edge.

7) Helix Bridge NEW!
The spiralling steelwork may hinder your view of the fireworks. But it also creates an interesting perspective.
There are also uninterrupted platform areas that protrude over the waters, which offers an interesting vantage view over the skyline.

8) Marina Barrage
Farther away than all the other viewing spots, but offer a 'sense' of seclusion.
Take the MRT to Marina South Station. Then SBS Bus No. 400 or the Marina Barrage Shuttle Bus to the Barrage.

So practically any waterfront location at Marina Bay will be a good spot to watch the fireworks for NDP 2010 (as well as the flypast). Expect the fireworks to be launched near the end of the Show Segment, probably around 7.30pm - 8pm. Obviously, you'll need to turn up earlier to find yourself some space.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
In the event of bad weather (or for health safety and other pertinent reasons), the NE Shows and Parades may be delayed, cut short or postponed. If this happens, the fireworks will be similarly affected.

So, hope some of you will be able to catch some of it and truly feel the spirit of Singapore when the nation celebrates it's 45th birthday! :)Best

No comments: